A Century of Championing Nature: David Attenborough Turns 100

Sir David Attenborough is a world-famous naturalist. He has spent decades lending his voice to nature programs. It has become synonymous with the wonders of the world around us. This week, millions of his fans are joining their voices to wish him a happy 100th birthday.

"I had rather thought that I would celebrate my 100th birthday quietly, but it seems that many of you have had other ideas," Attenborough said in a social media message. "I've been completely overwhelmed by birthday greetings ..."

Attenborough was born May 8, 1926, in Isleworth, England. He attended Cambridge University. He graduated with a degree in geology and zoology in 1947. Soon after, he entered the fast-growing field of television. He became director of programming at the BBC. There, he created a series of popular nature shows. He narrated footage of animals hunting, playing, and exploring in their native habitats. His voice quickly made an impression. He filmed thousands of hours of documentaries and won dozens of awards. His series inspired hundreds of other nature shows. Many scientists credit his work with getting them interested in nature.

Celebrations of Attenborough’s milestone birthday have taken many forms. LEGO toys changed their age limits. Its boxes used to say the plastic blocks were for ages “4-99." They changed it to “4-100+.” The Dutch company also posted a message on Instagram. It read, “Happy 100th birthday, Sir David Attenborough. There's no age limit for those who never stop playing.” 

King Charles and Queen Camilla of England reached out to congratulate him. And a team of scientists named a new parasitic wasp species after him. It's called Attenboroughnculus tau.

Reflect: What is something you care deeply about that you would want people to remember about you many years from now?

Gif of David Attenborough from Giphy.